All of the tomatoes are the same variety. Very obvious dark green before ripening(second picture).
The lumpy darker one was exposed to full sun. The plant produced very little foliage or tomatos so far.
The lighter ones from largest tomato plant with thick foliage and lots of tomatoes.
Seeds came from eBay.
by defeater33
3 Comments
It could very well be Cherokee Purple, it could all just depend on when you picked, nutrients during growth, and sun during growth.
Ripe Cherokees usually turn a very dark reddish color with dark green/brown hues with a glint of silver in the sun. (I grow about 20 Cherokees every year among others) While yours look appetizing, to me they look more like a pink/red heirloom variety, not a black. Try asking over at the tomatoville website.
Too me, they do not look like a Cherokee Purple. They are likely a cross. Almost every year I get crosses. Last year it was Big Rainbow & Aunt Ruby’s German Green, the seeds sourced from reputable larger seed sellers. Open pollinated, heirloom tomatoes are generally self-pollinating. However, a bee or another pollinator can bring pollen from another variety.
I had a tour last year at a local seed company. As I remember, they keep their tomato plant varieties 50 yards apart to avoid crosses. Another seed saver I know bags the flowers. Personally it seems challenging to me to use bags as every time I tried it the flower never set fruit. I have basically given up trying to save seeds.
I wouldn’t necessarily blame Ebay although I’ve never had any luck there with anything. I would contact the vendor though & let them know.